Big Disgrace As Nigerian Army Court-martials Major General For Stealing $1,476,200
In a recent development, a Special Court Martial established by the Nigerian Army has rendered a verdict against Major General Umar Muazu Mohammed, the former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Army Properties Limited. He has been found guilty on 14 out of 18 count charges, all of which are in violation of service laws.
These charges encompass offenses such as theft, forgery, conspiracy, unauthorized diversion of Army property, and others, all of which fall under the purview of service discipline.
Notably, one of the charges involved the receipt of $1.045,400 from shipping companies for the use of the Nigerian Army Jetty at 6 Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Additionally, Major General UM Mohammed was found culpable of misappropriating $430,800, funds which were deposited into the Nigerian Army Domiciliary account at Unity Bank, Abuja for the utilization of the Nigerian Army Jetty in Marina, VI, Lagos. Furthermore, he was implicated in the withdrawal and appropriation of N74 million out of N75 million allocated for a property owned by the Nigerian Army in Ikoyi, Lagos.
However, it’s worth noting that the general was absolved of allegations that he sold Army property valued at N200 million in Lagos, as well as allegations of embezzling N750 million from the total of N2.5 billion acquired from banks and contributors for an Army housing estate in Asokoro, Abuja. Additionally, he was found not guilty of charges related to the forgery of a Deed of Agreement document in connection to the confiscation of another Army property in Lagos.
The Special Court Martial, presided over by Major General Kames Myam and comprising seven other Major Generals as members, along with a Brigadier General serving as Judge Advocate, is slated to announce the sentences for the accused by the coming Tuesday.
During the court martial proceedings, Major General UM Mohammed appeared in court using a wheelchair. However, Major General Myan, the court’s president, stated that all necessary medical assessments had been conducted on the accused, affirming his fitness to stand trial.
The prosecution was led by Colonel BA Oguntayo (Rtd), while the defense was represented by Olalekan Ojo, SAN.
